I have binge read the Tattered and Torn / Lost and Found Series's and devoured them all. Catherine Cowles is my discovereBeyond 5 Anson and Rho Stars
I have binge read the Tattered and Torn / Lost and Found Series's and devoured them all. Catherine Cowles is my discovered author of 2024 and I am hooked on her work.
We met Anson , briefly , in Ashes of You because he is a friend of Lawson but this book is all about the grumpy , reclusive ex FBI Profiler. Anson now works as a building contractor , specialising in restoring old buildings that have fire damage. Rhodes , or Rho as she is known to her friends, is a really loveable heroine who lost her family at the age of 13 and subsequently lived with her best friend's family and the other children they fostered. I love world building romances and I cannot wait to read the other characters books. Fallon is Rho's best friend. Copeland (NHL Player) is Fallon's biological older brother. Shepard (Owns a construction company) is her adopted brother. Trace (Sheriff /single dad) is her foster brother. Rhodes views them all as her siblings too and they are a tight group.
Anson and Rho have excellent chemistry which is addictive to read about. There is some push and pull but ultimately these two are soul mates and absolutely meant to be. There is a mystery unfolding alongside their love story - I did not guess the baddie despite having a few candidates on my list!
Great story that had me invested from the start.
HEA? Yes. Beautiful - I am still beaming. Cheating? No.
This was a bittersweet read because out of all the Hartley siblings , I wanted Chief Of Police Lawson's the most but Beyond 5 Lawson and Hallie Stars
This was a bittersweet read because out of all the Hartley siblings , I wanted Chief Of Police Lawson's the most but his is the last book in the series and I have enjoyed each and every novel about the Hartley siblings. I did not want it to end.
Lawson (38) is a single dad to three boys , Luke (16), Drew (13) and Charlie (6). Charlie is one of the sweetest and funniest children - we met him before in Shadows of You as he is Cady's best friend. Lawson is struggling to manage everything so he finally relents and hires a Nanny.
Hallie (25) has been through an almost unimaginably horrific trauma and five years later she is desperate to start living again away from her (frankly horrible) parents. She applies to be Lawson's Nanny and it's not until the interview that they both realise that they have met before.
This was my favourite book of the entire series. I was half in love with Lawson before I even downloaded it to my Kindle and it didn't take long to fall completely. The plot is well paced and the relationship between Lawson and Hallie develops alongside another series of murders in Cedar Ridge. Hallie is in danger and Lawson , as Chief of Police , is doing everything possible to keep her safe.
The romantic relationship between our H/h is passionate and slowly builds but watching Hallie forge new friendships is heartwarming too. The loveliest relationships she builds are the ones with Law's boys. Luke has lots of barriers up , Drew is a sweetie but Charlie will steal your heart completely.
There is some violence as this is a romantic suspense. Some of the scenes are a little gruesome but not too bad. If you enjoy age gap / single parent / small town romances then I would highly recommend this book and all the others in the series.
I read on KU and listened on audible. Superb narration by Ava Erickson and Sebastian York - listening time 9h 12m.
HEA? Yes! Gorgeous ending. Cheating? No Be aware - child abandonment and violence / kidnapping of a woman are themes. ...more
This series just gets better and better. I have been itching for Roan's story and it more than matches my expectations.
Roan (e5 Roan and Aspen Stars
This series just gets better and better. I have been itching for Roan's story and it more than matches my expectations.
Roan (early 30's) is the second eldest of the Hartley siblings and he has been in every book but he has been in the background , quiet and reserved, so I never felt as though I knew him very well. Something happened in Roan's past that affected him and how others looked at him. In a way he is a social outcast despite belonging to the revered and liked Hartley family. Roan was always a little different. Fiercely loyal like his siblings but with a darkness around him as he watches the world from the shadowy peripheries.
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Roan lives alone on the mountain and works as a Fish and Wildlife Officer.
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Aspen (27) is the pretty redhead who lives a short distance away on the farm down the slope , with her 6 year old daughter , Cady.
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Aspen works at The Brew , the coffee shop in town but it's not until she encounters an injured deer and calls the Fish and Wildlife department for help that the pair meet. The chemistry is absolutely crackling from the start.
I loved that Roan fell so hard for Aspen and also how Cady melted the rugged , big guy's heart. Child characters can be tricky to write - they can sometimes read as quite stilted or horrendously precocious but Catherine Cowle does this so well.
Cady is adorable and along with Roan's 6yr old nephew , Charlie, they steal every scene they are in. The animals on the farm are very cute too.
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This is a romantic suspense so there is some violence. The character development is really good and although each book in the series follows a similar plot line , each couple is different and I have enjoyed every one. If you are a fan of grumpy / sunshine and /or single parent romances then I recommend this one. Of note , Cady is actually Aspen's niece but she has been her guardian since Cady was tiny.
Romance , passion, drama , humour and a storyline that had me hooked. I read this on KU and listened to it on audible. The narration by Maxine Mitchell and Zachary Webber was exemplary. Listening time 10 hours.
Book three in the Lost and Found Series focuses on the only girl , and the youngest , in the Hartley family. Grae has had a c4.5 Grae and Caden Stars
Book three in the Lost and Found Series focuses on the only girl , and the youngest , in the Hartley family. Grae has had a crush on her brother Nash's best friend , Caden. They were always friends and she would tag along with them when they were children. When she is 15 , Grae is with Caden when she collapses and she is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - this is mentioned a lot in the book. Caden has already lost his little sister to cancer and the thought of losing Grae is too much so as soon as he can he leaves Cedar Ridge and travels the world for his family's hotel business (he's very wealthy). Caden and Grae's friendship disintegrates and they fight on the rare occasion they meet up. Caden comes back for a while to Cedar Ridge and between his father's demands and Grae trying to ward off unwanted affections from a male friend , Caden suggests they fake date. Someone is after Grae and as the threat increases they both realise there is nothing fake about their feelings for each other.
I enjoyed the story , never skimmed any pages. The pace of the plot was good. I love this series!
1) Whispers of You (Holt & Wren - Second Chance / Childhood Sweethearts) 2) Echoes of You (Nash & Maddie - Friends to Lovers ) 3) Glimmers of You (Grae & Caden - Brother's Best Friend/ friends>enemies>lovers) 4) Shadows of You (Roan & Aspen - Grumpy -Sunshine/ Single parent) 5) Ashes of You (Lawson & Hallie - Single Dad-Nanny / Age gap).
I read the ebook (borrowed on KU) and I also listened on audible. Fabulous narration by Erin Mallon & Joe Arden. Listening time 8h 30m.
“I’ve always loved you. Maybe even before I met you. I loved you when we were little kids and awkward pre-teens and when 4.5 Nash and Maddie Stars
“I’ve always loved you. Maybe even before I met you. I loved you when we were little kids and awkward pre-teens and when I finally realized what that emotion might mean. I loved you when we graduated high school and through college and every day since. Even when you were gone, the echoes of you still lived inside me, and I would play them over and over in my mind just so I wouldn’t lose the sound. I’ve loved you in every incarnation, and that will never end.”
Book two in the Lost and Found Series focuses on Nash , the youngest boy in the Hartley family, and his best friend in the whole world - Maddie (Both mid twenties). Maddie has loved Nash forever but he never 'went there' with her because he was so afraid of messing up their relationship and couldn't bear the thought of losing her. Maddie leaves Cedar Ridge and her best friend to start a relationship with Adam , a tourist she met in town. The book picks up when Maddie returns home having fled that relationship. Domestic Abuse (physical / verbal / emotional) is a theme in this story. Maddie is a lovely heroine. Growing up she has truly awful parents and you can see why Nash and his family must have seemed idyllic to her. When her home situation was unbearable she would go to Nash. When these two reconnect old feelings surface and Nash finally realises he cannot stay away any longer.
Lots of drama and suspense with a strong friends to lovers theme. Lovable characters that you feel invested in.
Each of the Hartley siblings has a book.
1) Whispers of You (Holt & Wren - Second Chance / Childhood Sweethearts) 2) Echoes of You (Nash & Maddie - Friends to Lovers ) 3) Glimmers of You (Grae & Caden - Brother's Best Friend/ friends>enemies>lovers) 4) Shadows of You (Roan & Aspen - Grumpy -Sunshine/ Single parent) 5) Ashes of You (Lawson & Hallie - Single Dad-Nanny / Age gap).
I read the ebook (borrowed on KU) and I also listened on audible. Excellent narration by Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke. Listening time 9h 10m.
"Nothing could keep me from loving you.” Not hurt or logic or an entire world separating us. We were meant to be. We would 5 Holt and Wren Stars
"Nothing could keep me from loving you.” Not hurt or logic or an entire world separating us. We were meant to be. We would always find a way back to each other.
My discovery of all books by Catherine Cowles continues with the Lost and Found Series. I really enjoyed the Tattered and Torn series and Holt was a secondary character in that one so I was curious to read his story and I was hooked from the start.
Wren (26) and Holt (28) were best friends from Kindergarten and that became a romantic relationship in their teens. These two are the epitome of soul mates.
Wren is 16 and Holt is 18 when something utterly unthinkable happens and Wren is nearly killed. She slowly recovers and Holt is there but becomes increasingly distant until he finally walks away. Ten years pass and Holt has been in the military and then owns and runs a security company. Holt is from a tight knit family and they are the reason he returns to Cedar Ridge. I felt like he would have come back anyway but an event forces his hand. Wren works in dispatch for the Police Department with two of Holt's brothers who are a Police Officer (Nash) and Chief of Police (Lawson). Wren is also best friends with their sister , Grae , so there is no way these two can avoid each other.
This is a romantic suspense so there are some twists and turns running alongside the rediscovered romance.
I really enjoyed this book. I was really invested in Holt and Wren and the secondary characters are highly entertaining. Small town romances with a close knit family on one side is my kindle catnip. Each of Holt's siblings get a story.
1) Whispers of You (Holt & Wren - Second Chance / Childhood Sweethearts) 2) Echoes of You (Nash & Maddie - Friends to Lovers ) 3) Glimmers of You (Grae & Caden - Brother's Best Friend/ friends>enemies>lovers) 4) Shadows of You (Roan & Aspen - Grumpy -Sunshine/ Single parent) 5) Ashes of You (Lawson & Hallie - Single Dad-Nanny / Age gap).
I read the ebook (borrowed on KU) and I also listened on audible. Superb narration by And Arndt & Zachary Webber. Listening time 9h 17m.
HEA? Yes. Cheating? No. Be aware (view spoiler)[ The book opens with Wren being threatened and shot. This is a romantic suspense so there is some violence /threat. (hide spoiler)] ...more
I usually get swept up in Ms Perry’s books from the start but I struggled to get into this one. I shelved it and came back to it 3 Indya & West Stars
I usually get swept up in Ms Perry’s books from the start but I struggled to get into this one. I shelved it and came back to it (I was in the middle of a book slump) and listened to it mainly, which worked well.
West Haven first met Indya Keller when she was 8 and he was 10. He lived on the ranch / resort where the Keller family spent a week or two most Summers. West is made to play with her but resentment soon turns to friendship and as the years pass , it turns to more.
If ever there was a couple where the timing for them was awful , it’s Indy and West. This story covers lots of things and it does set up the series well. I liked all the characters and the use of flashbacks to their childhood was well done.
There is a main theme of a parent with cancer so if that is a difficult topic for you , be aware that it’s a big part of this novel.
I felt there was quite a lot of inner monologue which affected my rating. Ultimately I did enjoy it but I probably would not re read this book.
Childhood friends to adult lovers / small town / rich heroine / Summer romance/ hot cowboy themes.
HEA? Yes. Cheating? No. Both have serious relationships with others during their separation but these two are absolute soul mates....more
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Before Series which picks up where Before We Fall ends but features Miles and Emma.5 Miles and Emma Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Before Series which picks up where Before We Fall ends but features Miles and Emma. We met both of them in the first book, Emma is Miranda's best friend and Godmother to her little boy, Kingston. Miles is Tucker's foster brother and a fellow cop.
Both books have been so good and I cannot wait for Dayton's novel. In this one, Emma and Miles are both a little cautious to get into a relationship , Emma more so. She has recently come out of a three year relationship which ended because they did not want the same things. Miles is a single dad to 7 year old Winter who is a gorgeous little character that brought comedy and lightness to a story with some heavier themes running through it. Emma is a very likeable heroine although I wasn't sure about the complete meltdown she has about their relationship , briefly. I don't know that it fitted very well but it was over pretty quick so it wasn't that big a deal. Miles is a great Hero. He felt more intense than Tucker , his brother and it worked well for him. The slight drama with his ex , Winter's Mum Hazel, was good to read and felt realistic.
This is a great series and I am very invested. There is a serious and dark criminal theme running in the background to the romance which tempers things out.
HEA? Yes. Cheating? No Be aware - Murder / loss of a parent / domestic abuse are themes. Available on KU so I borrowed it but then bought it because I enjoyed it so much. Audio coming out in July 24. ...more
I don't know quite why I am so late to the party with this book. It released in July 2023 and Aurora Rose Reynolds is in my5 Tucker and Miranda Stars
I don't know quite why I am so late to the party with this book. It released in July 2023 and Aurora Rose Reynolds is in my top 5 favourite romance authors with Until November being one (possibly the top) of my go to re read books. Anyway , I have now read Before We Fall and I love it.
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The book opens with our heroine , Miranda (early/mid twenties) , discovering that her husband is having an affair. That immediately caught my interest.
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I do love a book that grabs me from the start and I needed a novel to do that. I was not in the mood for easing gently into something and Ms Reynolds delivered. Miranda is a lovely heroine. She and her Police Officer cheating husband Bowie, have a little boy called Kingston (3), who is adorable. There were moments when I wanted her to get a bit more angry at Bowie - I'm not sure I could have been as cool as Miranda was but it fitted with her character , she is quite reserved and her devastation at Bowie's betrayal was quiet fury rather than a screaming rage.
Naomie , the woman who Bowie cheats with is also married to a Police Officer - Detective Tucker Beckett. Tucker and Miranda meet at the point where both have learnt of the affair and are on the brink of ending things - maybe that is the ultimate slap in the face to both their cheating partners. It was pretty satisfying to read.
This is the first in a new series and Tucker is one of four foster brothers the others being Clay , Miles and Dayton. If you have read the Until Him /Her series , you will have met Clay already as the Hero in Until Willow. Miles's book is the second in the Before Series (Before This Ends. Dayton is going to be getting his own story too. Aurora Rose Reynolds is really good at creating secondary characters that bring a huge amount to the story. The four brothers have an unbreakable bond and although they share many traits they are quite different too. Tucker Beckett is solid, loyal and tough. He's definitely a book Hero that stays in your head and heart. He develops a really good rapport with Kingston which is sweet to read.
There is a backdrop of crime going on - Beckett is a Detective after all (actually he's more than that but all will become clear). That was interesting and sad to read. I enjoyed the suspense of that running parallel to the evolving love story.
I borrowed this on KU but I loved it so much I bought the ebook. I also listened on audiobook - excellent narration by Sorcha Shilling and Ryan Stone. Listening time 7hr 50m.
HEA? Yes Cheating? Not between Miranda and Tucker. They are solid. Be aware - Violent crime / rape are discussed as per the Police investigation.
Good songs for this book are: 'This Kiss' by Faith Hill (Tucker and Miranda) 'Have I Told You Lately That I Love You' (Tucker and Miranda) 'My Boy' by Elvie Shane (Tucker and Kingston). 'Keep On Talking' by Texas (Bowie and Naomie) 'Either Way' by Chris Stapleton (Tucker and Naomie) 'We Don't Fight Anymore' by Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton (Bowie and Miranda) ...more
This is the third book in the Tattered and Torn Series. I am binge reading the whole lot and am completely invested in the 4.5 Addie and Beckett Stars
This is the third book in the Tattered and Torn Series. I am binge reading the whole lot and am completely invested in the characters who live in Wolf Gap. Small town romances are one of my absolute favourites and this author is fast becoming a 'go to' writer for me.
This novel focuses on Addie and Beckett.
In book one we met Everly and Hayes. Addie is Everly's cousin and Beckett is the eldest of the Easton siblings and he has kept his distance from Wolf Gap, Oregon ever since his sister, Shiloh, was abducted and held against her will before being rescued by Everly when they were children.
Beckett Easton is a Doctor. A handsome , kind , funny Doctor but he was just as affected by Shiloh's kidnap as his brother and sisters. He and Addie end up having to house share and from there a relationship develops. Addie is an interesting character. She has grown up in the 'Prepper' community, ostracised from mainstream society but ultimately she escaped and followed her cousin to live her life on her own terms. Beckett was the right man to support her navigation of this new world.
Addie glanced over at me. “I bet you were quite the ladies’ man in high school.” “I wasn’t hurting for dates. I’ll leave it at that.” Addie’s gaze drifted away to the valley below us. “I wish I could know what that feels like.” “What?” “High school crushes. Dances. First loves. I’ve read so many books about all of it, but I’ll never know what it’s like.” A burn scorched my chest—a mix of anger and grief for the woman sitting beside me. I covered her hand with mine. “I wish I could give you those years back.”
I loved that as timid and reserved as she seemed in the earlier books , in this one she really comes out of her shell. She is strong , brave , pretty sassy and strong willed it turns out...
“Beckett, I was a prisoner once. I won’t ever be that again.” “That’s not what I’m suggesting—” “You are. Maybe it has prettier window dressing, but it’s the same at the core—someone watching my every move. I didn’t fight this hard for my freedom only to put bars on my own windows.”
I've seen some reviews saying that each book is just the same formula. I think you could say that about most authors. They all find a groove that fits them. There is a commonality between the. novels but the stories are well written and I love the build up between the main characters plus the secondary characters bring a huge amount to the fabric of the novel. I'm sure some people will not agree but I relish the scenes where the Hero comes to the rescue and saves the heroine and the day. When the Hero is blind to all other women because one girl holds his heart.
Addie, there isn’t a thing about you that isn’t beautiful.”
He trailed his lips down my neck to my chest. “You’re this explosion of light in a world that’s mostly gray. I’ve never 4.5 Hadley and Calder Stars
He trailed his lips down my neck to my chest. “You’re this explosion of light in a world that’s mostly gray. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
[image] This is the second book in the Tattered and Torn Series and follows on from Tattered Stars which was the story of Everly and Hayes. Hayes is one of Hadley's older brother's and he is also Calder's best friend.
Hadley (24) is the youngest of the Easton siblings. The family experienced trauma when the siblings were young because their sister , Shiloh, was abducted and held for days by Everly's father. The impact on Hadley was that she was hugely over protected by her mother. As she gets older she tries to break free and secretly takes up bike / board stunts and similar adrenaline rich sports. She also works as an EMT which brings it's own challenges and dangers.
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For as long as she can remember , Hadley has adored Calder Cruz. His first marriage crashed , literally , and left him as the single dad to twins , Birdie and Sage (9).
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The twins are very well written and bring a lot of lightness and fun to the story which has a dark underbelly to it.
Calder (30) is the kind of Hero that makes your heart skip a beat, swoon a little and causes your ovaries to pulsate. He's a lieutenant in the Fire Service which means he and Hadley often work together. He has always held his feelings for her back until a chain of events makes him realise how much she means to him.
This is a well paced story and I adore the characters. I feel very invested in the series. If you are a fan of Devney Perry / small town romances , then this is very much of that type of contemporary romance.
Why not 5 stars? There was a little too much drama for my personal preference but I still enjoyed it hugely.
I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook. Excellent narration by Joe Arden and Vanessa Edwin.
HEA? More HFN but still gorgeous and I cannot wait to move on to Book 3 Hidden Waters.
Cheating? No. These two are solid. Calder married his first wife after a one night stand resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. He never loved her.
I think these novels are my 'absolutely escape reality' series. I read them years ago and have been re reading via audible an4 Scott and Jessie Stars
I think these novels are my 'absolutely escape reality' series. I read them years ago and have been re reading via audible and ebook.
The world is all a bit crazy , sad and unpredictable just now , so jumping back to a book world where you get swept up in the dramas that are all resolved with a happy ever after seems like a good idea.
The books remind me of crazy over the top soap operas....oh the drama....
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This is a quick synopsis but the basis of all the books are the same:
-Girl falls in love with cowboy / rancher / horse breeder/ carpenter (who are all wealthy but grounded) and the guy reciprocates all the feelings.
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- Some pesky hussy with legs for days and amazing boobs tries to lure said boy away.
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-There is usually a previous connection or one night stand with said hussy, then something majorly dramatic happens and our heroine leaves in something of a snit.
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-The Hero is bereft, gets off his face drunk and contemplates possibly bonking another woman to fix his broken heart ...
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-The hussy rocks up , seizing her chance and tantalising the Hero with her magical boobs/ legs/ hair...
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- The Hero nearly folds...
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But love prevails. The OW is sent packing. The crisis is averted and there is a reunion involving great passion and lurve.
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Nearly every heroine gets pregnant , delivers a baby and is demanding bedroom antics from her man within hours of childbirth. All the characters are giving 'weak smiles' , 'weak grins', licking their lips , biting their lips , the Hero is pulling the heroines lip out from her biting it. And don't get me started on the winking. Dear Lord the winking. Everyone winks. Sometimes multiple characters on the page are winking.
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I don't care though - I still love all the drama and angst.
The books need to be read in order really to follow the flow of the characters journeys.
Book 1 Wanted Gunner & Ellie (But Jeff & Ari's story starts here)
Book 2 Saved Jeff & Ari (But Josh & Heather's story starts here)
Book 3 Faithful Josh & Heather (Brad & Amanda's story features too).
If you want some time out from reality , pick up this series. Hot guys, impossibly stunning girls, ranches , a country song list a mile long and winking. Lots of winking...
HEA? Yes , everyone eventually gets an HEA. Cheating ? In some books there may be some fraternising with other people hell bent on breaking up the happy couples. Nothing too terrible though. (view spoiler)[ Book 2 Jeff has a ONS whilst not with Ari and reportedly the OW gets preggers / Miscarriage features. Books 3 & 4 There is mild touching and snogging with another character/ Book 3 Brad has mild touching with another character and drug use is discussed. (hide spoiler)]...more
I think these novels are my 'absolutely escape reality' series. I read them years ago and have been re reading via audible an4 Josh and Heather Stars
I think these novels are my 'absolutely escape reality' series. I read them years ago and have been re reading via audible and ebook.
The world is all a bit crazy , sad and unpredictable just now , so jumping back to a book world where you get swept up in the dramas that are all resolved with a happy ever after seems like a good idea.
The books remind me of crazy over the top soap operas....oh the drama....
[image]
This is a quick synopsis but the basis of all the books are the same:
-Girl falls in love with cowboy / rancher / horse breeder/ carpenter (who are all wealthy but grounded) and the guy reciprocates all the feelings.
[image]
- Some pesky hussy with legs for days and amazing boobs tries to lure said boy away.
[image]
-There is usually a previous connection or one night stand with said hussy, then something majorly dramatic happens and our heroine leaves in something of a snit.
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-The Hero is bereft, gets off his face drunk and contemplates possibly bonking another woman to fix his broken heart ...
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-The hussy rocks up , seizing her chance and tantalising the Hero with her magical boobs/ legs/ hair...
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- The Hero nearly folds...
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But love prevails. The OW is sent packing. The crisis is averted and there is a reunion involving great passion and lurve.
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Nearly every heroine gets pregnant , delivers a baby and is demanding bedroom antics from her man within hours of childbirth. All the characters are giving 'weak smiles' , 'weak grins', licking their lips , biting their lips , the Hero is pulling the heroines lip out from her biting it. And don't get me started on the winking. Dear Lord the winking. Everyone winks. Sometimes multiple characters on the page are winking.
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I don't care though - I still love all the drama and angst.
The books need to be read in order really to follow the flow of the characters journeys.
Book 1 Wanted Gunner & Ellie (But Jeff & Ari's story starts here)
Book 2 Saved Jeff & Ari (But Josh & Heather's story starts here)
Book 3 Faithful Josh & Heather (Brad & Amanda's story features too).
If you want some time out from reality , pick up this series. Hot guys, impossibly stunning girls, ranches , a country song list a mile long and winking. Lots of winking...
HEA? Yes , everyone eventually gets an HEA. Cheating ? In some books there may be some fraternising with other people hell bent on breaking up the happy couples. Nothing too terrible though. (view spoiler)[ Book 2 Jeff has a ONS whilst not with Ari and reportedly the OW gets preggers / Miscarriage features. Books 3 & 4 There is mild touching and snogging with another character/ Book 3 Brad has mild touching with another character and drug use is discussed. (hide spoiler)]...more
This was a good start to a new series by one of my favourite writers. Brenda Rothert was the author that attracted me to th3 Lincoln and Trinity Stars
This was a good start to a new series by one of my favourite writers. Brenda Rothert was the author that attracted me to the world of Hockey Romance so I always eagerly anticipate her new work. She is one of my most read writers.
Lincoln (35) is Captain of the Minnesota Mammoths NHL Team. He never lets any woman get close to him. His career is everything and that includes his teammates. His colleague and best friend is Dalton Lorenzo and Dalton has a younger sister called Trinity (26). Trinity flies out to Alaska to watch her brother's exhibition match but then he discovers that Trinity is still being stalked by a weird guy. Dalton freaks out and insists she goes back to his place in Minneapolis rather than her place in Chicago and he asks Lincoln to escort her back.
Taking a private plane , the unthinkable happens and the plane crashes in the Alaskan wilderness so Lincoln and Trinity as the sole survivors are stranded together.
I enjoyed the first half of the book the most. It was entertaining to see them verbally sparring with all that chemistry bubbling underneath. The despair they feel was well written and when they find a place to shelter the relief was palpable.
Overall this was a good read and a gorgeous escape from real life - much needed at the moment. I would have liked to hear some more about Linc's past. He's so intense and Trinity brought out a sweetness in him. Trinity is almost crippled at times by anxiety and watching him support her was very endearing.
If you read hockey romances and enjoy the hockey scenes , this novel has very little hockey action in it which is a shame because this author is awesome at writing those but perhaps that will be more prevalent in future books in the series. There's no OW/OM drama. I shall be reading more about the Minnesota Mammoths.
Finally , just to say that I beamed from ear to ear when Kate Ryker made an appearance! ( From Bound and Captive which are two of my all time favourite books and Ryke and Kate are on my top couples of all time shelf).
What an unexpected surprise this book was. It kind of came out of the blue but it absolutely needed to be written , so thank yo5 Perfect Ending Stars
What an unexpected surprise this book was. It kind of came out of the blue but it absolutely needed to be written , so thank you Harper Sloan. Thank you for writing a book that will stay with me for a long, long time.
Olivia (35) is a successful business woman who has full custody of her little niece Riley since the death of her sister. Olivia has a thriving coffee shop and a thing for one of her regular customers, Drew.
Drew (52) is very much the tall, brooding, silent type. Everything about him is mysterious and Olivia , whilst crushing on him, may consider him remote and detached but you really need to give those quiet types credit for their underrated observational skills.
I look down at the top of her head. She avoids looking at me, something she does a lot, but usually, it comes with sideway glances she doesn’t think I see. Oh, Olivia Elizabeth Kelley, I fucking see you.
I liked Olivia's character and Riley is a cute little girl (albeit rather articulate for her age).The relationship that builds between Riley and Drew, her 'Giant' , is adorable. She brings out the fun side of him and it does well to temper the lighter glimpses with the darker aspects of the book.
My heart was stolen by , and belongs to , the reserved , passionate and enticing Drew.
I see it in his eyes, but especially the lines on his face that tell me, at one time, this man laughed and laughed hard.
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He made this book for me. My heart broke for him and I cried. At one point it was sad tears but mostly happy ones.
I’ve been alone for so long, I had forgotten what it felt like to have someone who had your back out of love, not obligation.
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I couldn't bear the thought of him being alone so long. Olivia breathed warmth and happiness back into the dark places his life had taken him and I am so delighted that I got to read this story.
This book will not really work as a standalone. This whole series has been a longstanding favourite of mine and if you enjoy romances with Alpha heroes , strong women and a small town feel to them, then I recommend this whole series highly. Seeing Sway , Axel and Izzy and all the characters from the series was like putting on a favourite old jacket and feeling all warm and content.
HEA? Yes! Absolutely perfect. Cheating? No
Merged review:
5 Perfect Ending Stars
What an unexpected surprise this book was. It kind of came out of the blue but it absolutely needed to be written , so thank you Harper Sloan. Thank you for writing a book that will stay with me for a long, long time.
Olivia (35) is a successful business woman who has full custody of her little niece Riley since the death of her sister. Olivia has a thriving coffee shop and a thing for one of her regular customers, Drew.
Drew (52) is very much the tall, brooding, silent type. Everything about him is mysterious and Olivia , whilst crushing on him, may consider him remote and detached but you really need to give those quiet types credit for their underrated observational skills.
I look down at the top of her head. She avoids looking at me, something she does a lot, but usually, it comes with sideway glances she doesn’t think I see. Oh, Olivia Elizabeth Kelley, I fucking see you.
I liked Olivia's character and Riley is a cute little girl (albeit rather articulate for her age).The relationship that builds between Riley and Drew, her 'Giant' , is adorable. She brings out the fun side of him and it does well to temper the lighter glimpses with the darker aspects of the book.
My heart was stolen by , and belongs to , the reserved , passionate and enticing Drew.
I see it in his eyes, but especially the lines on his face that tell me, at one time, this man laughed and laughed hard.
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He made this book for me. My heart broke for him and I cried. At one point it was sad tears but mostly happy ones.
I’ve been alone for so long, I had forgotten what it felt like to have someone who had your back out of love, not obligation.
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I couldn't bear the thought of him being alone so long. Olivia breathed warmth and happiness back into the dark places his life had taken him and I am so delighted that I got to read this story.
This book will not really work as a standalone. This whole series has been a longstanding favourite of mine and if you enjoy romances with Alpha heroes , strong women and a small town feel to them, then I recommend this whole series highly. Seeing Sway , Axel and Izzy and all the characters from the series was like putting on a favourite old jacket and feeling all warm and content.
Let me start by saying that Helena Hunting is one of my favourite authors. I have read1 Tristan and Beatrix Star
I was so disappointed with this book.
Let me start by saying that Helena Hunting is one of my favourite authors. I have read 21 of her books (not including this one). The Pucked series is an all time favourite Hockey Romance series and Pucked Love is in my all time top 5 contemporary romance books. Fourteen five star , six four star and one 3.5 star ratings by me and I had high expectations for this one but unfortunately this novel just didn't work for me.
I love the brother's best friend trope and an Ice Hockey Romance is my go to happy place so I was positively giddy with delight when I heard Helena Hunting was releasing book one in a new Hockey Series.
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Then it all started to go wrong (for me).
First , the cover. I'm not going to bang on again about how much I loathe illustrated covers except to say that this proves one of my main arguments. This cover is cartoonish with a girl and guy back to back and it looks like the type of book a teen would pick up. It conveys the image of a fluffy , light read. Whilst there are light moments , this book is far from fluffy.
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If I didn't have a history of loving this author's work , I would not have bought this book because I think this cover is very unappealing. Luckily it is available on KU.
In addition to the cover , I wasn't keen on Beatrix , the heroine. She irritated me. Tristan was the hero and he was truly horrible to her at times. He doesn't do relationships because of his childhood experiences but I never really got why he hated Bea so much. Also , and this is purely personal preference , Tristan is not a name that I would associate with a hero - my sincere apologies if you have a Tristan in your life or you are a Tristan.
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I felt that the cruelty of his words went beyond the premise of secretly crushing but trying to hide it. He broke up with her twice . The first break up fitted the story well but the second one felt weak.
I love passion in my books but it felt like there was so much sex , it drowned out the narrative of their relationship. There is a graphic scene with a cucumber and , yeah , well , ummm....no. Nope. I did not need that scene in my head. It was often unpleasantly graphic. Frankly, I don't know how Bea retained the ability to walk straight after all the sex.
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Then there was Flip (Philip), who is Bea's older brother and Tristan's best friend and team mate. I don't think I have the words to describe him. Manwhore doesn't even cut it. He has sex all the time , he doesn't tone it down even when his sister moves in with them and he is aware he can be heard. He usually has two or three women at a time - no issue with that , whatever floats his boat BUT he parades women that he shared WITH Tristan in front of Bea. Flip is always trying to pull Tristan back into three /four way shenanigans and when he is livid with both Bea and Tristan for them seeing each other behind his back , Flip tells Bea about how he and Tristan have both been inside the same woman at the same time.
Flip's angry gaze lands on me. 'How could you let him touch you? How? We've fucked the same woman at the same time! And not just once , but many, many times." He motions between himself and Tristan. "We've been in the same pussy at exactly the same time. My dick and his dick." He slaps his palms together. "Like this."
I don't know who was more in love with Tristan because at times I was pretty sure Flip was heavily invested in his friend's love life and when the reveal happened it felt like Flip was jealous. On a similar note , Tristan often resented Bea's relationship with her best friend Essie , except they really are just best friends.
Finally, the secondary characters are interesting but a lot of people got introduced at once and I had to really concentrate on how people were linked. It doesn't help that one character goes by two names and two of them have similar names. Might just be a me thing though...
HEA? The epilogue is one month in the future and felt very much HFN rather than HEA. Cheating? No....more
It's been a while since a book has had me in its grip, but once I started 'Rally' , I couldn't put it down.
I read the twBeyond 5 Rush and Faye Stars
It's been a while since a book has had me in its grip, but once I started 'Rally' , I couldn't put it down.
I read the two previous books in the series, Coach and Blitz and enjoyed them but they didn't hold me captive like this one did.
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We meet Rush(21) and Faye (20) in the other two books (more in Coach) so we already know from that, and from the blurb , that this is an unexpected pregnancy , sports romance. I don't enjoy College age characters as much these days , probably because College age is very firmly behind me in the distance! However, Rush Ramsey and Faye Gannon stole my heart.
This is not all sweet , romantic , heady falling in love stuff , although it has its romantic moments. It is the heart stopping realisation that you are having a baby that is not planned and is happening at a time when you are , arguably , least prepared and least ready to bring someone new into the world. I loved that their story is a bit gnarly in places. Neither one is perfect - although Rush nearly is! *swoon*.
It made a change for the heroine to meet the hero's best friend and they clash and dislike each other on first sight. Interesting also , Rush hasn't always made the best decisions regarding women and I felt it changed the dynamic of his friendship with his best friend.
Both Rush and Faye are students at Treasure State. Rush is the golden boy - the promising Quarterback whose face adorns billboards. He's almost certain to get drafted to the NFL. Faye is literally living hand to mouth. She studies and works to support herself and her half sister , Gloria (fifteen and feisty). Everyone knows Rush. Except Faye. She's oblivious , not into football and too busy making ends meet.
The pace of the story was really good. The secondary characters bring more depth to the story and there are various sub plots running within the novel. There is passion , heartbreak , fun , sweet moments , drama and characters that you invest your heart in.
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Great sports romance. If you enjoyed The Goal by Elle Kennedy , then try Rally.
"Say it again." "I love you." Rush Ramsey , quarterback extraordinaire, Wildcat football hero , honors student and fixer of flat tires, loved me. Maybe I was lucky after all.
I listened and read this book. Superb narration by Jason Clarke and Vanessa Edwin . Listening time 9h 44m.
HEA? Yes - gorgeous and 6 years ahead. Cheating? No
BE AWARE (view spoiler)[ Cancer features in this book - two characters mothers have cancer. One dies in the book. One is terminally unwell. It makes for some heartbreaking scenes. It does not dominate the story but it's a strong theme in the second half. I think it is important to mention as some readers may find it hard to read. Also, Faye has not had an easy childhood and this is discussed. Trust me - this is not a depressing book - I just think it's good to have a heads up. (hide spoiler)]...more
This is a lovely book with lots of witty dialogue and likeable characters that has a gorgeous small town feel to it. There's4 Sophie and Holden Stars
This is a lovely book with lots of witty dialogue and likeable characters that has a gorgeous small town feel to it. There's romance , a delicious build up of passion and a background of Holden and Sophie being good friends since they were children. Sophie has inherited her Grandma's Bed & Breakfast but is struggling financially since her ex husband left her high and dry. Holden returns to town as a qualified and aspiring veterinarian to help out his Grandpa at his practice and is also waiting to hear if he has got another high flying job. A marriage of convenience ensues but when there have always been buried feelings , it doesn't take much to stir up emotions.
Sophie and Holden make excellent main characters but the secondary cast are pretty memorable and impressive too. I will definitely be following this series. I hope Olivia and Jobe both get their own stories soon.
HEA? More HFN , but these two are forever. Cheating? Absolutely not. They are solid and all about each other. ...more
Trust is a rare find. Hard to come by, easy to lose. So impossibly difficult to regain.
I could not put this 5 Isla and Cillian ( and Sadie ) Stars
Trust is a rare find. Hard to come by, easy to lose. So impossibly difficult to regain.
I could not put this book down. I borrowed it on KU but have since bought a copy to keep - I enjoyed it that much.
Lydia's Romance recommended it to me and as seems to be the case when she suggests I read something , I end up sleep deprived, coffee dependent and utterly captivated by the story and the characters.
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Thanks Lydia for all the fabulous recs.
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From the very first page I was hooked. This novel will not be for everyone, so if emotional and physical cheating is a hard pass for you then be warned it is in this book. If you love to hate the OW then this novel should satisfy that requirement beautifully. In short , this is a sports (ice hockey playing Hero), surprise / secret baby , five year separation romance where my angst loving self was very content with how it all unfolded.
Cillian and Isla are each others first everything and they see a great future together until he is on the brink of an amazing career in Ice Hockey and that means that at the age of 19 , he is signed up and moves state , away from Isla. Everything starts to implode and culminates in Isla's worst fears being very graphically confirmed.
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I was devastated alongside her!
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The break up is brutal and Isla blocks Cillian at every turn. They will not meet up for five years but what I really liked was that Isla eventually got on with her life in that she saw other people - she isn't celibate for their separation and in fact , even when Cillian comes back, before they are together again, she meets up with someone. This is off page. I liked Isla as a heroine because she is feisty and loyal and was no pushover. Her heartbreak runs deep and what happened truly broke her but she fought back for her and their beautiful little girl , Sadie, that Cillian knows nothing about...
I loved the reveal when Cillian finds out about Sadie and their subsequent relationship.
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The secondary characters in this novel bring a lot to it. From Willa who is Isla's sister (I would love to read her book) to Cillian's team mates. I sense there is much more to come.
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Cillian is likeable despite what he did and as the story unravels I felt sorry for him at times. He was not innocent but the story is not a black and white betrayal. Yes, he cheated but it is more complex than just that. There is a long path to healing for Isla and Cillian but it makes for great reading.
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I love the way this author writes. Her style, her character development and the way she weaves the story , works so well.
It's a risk , to write about a Hero (or heroine) who cheats. You will lose some readers from the very start , because what's romantic about cheating? Well, not much BUT it's all about the reflection, the healing and redemption of a character that you should hate. Why and how did it happen? It's feeling all those visceral reactions to the words that leap off the page and punch you in the heart which starts you on that rollercoaster of emotions. I was thinking about this book even when I wasn't reading it and couldn't wait to get back to it.
If you can bear some angst and cheating and you enjoy the sports/ second chance / surprise child tropes then I recommend this book. Even if you don't , it's good to push your comfort zones sometimes.
I loved this gorgeous novella (152 pages on my Kindle) which is set in the same world as The Birthday List. Finn from5 Jeff and Della (and Katy) Stars
I loved this gorgeous novella (152 pages on my Kindle) which is set in the same world as The Birthday List. Finn from Letters to Molly has long since left Alcott Landscaping with his business passing on to other hands and Jeff is high up in the company doing a job he loves. The story is set in beautiful Montana and has that fabulous small town feel to it. Devney Perry writes a small town romance like no other in my opinion.
Jeff (31/32) has a 12yr old daughter , Katy. He has a difficult relationship with his ex wife , Rosalie. They hooked up once at a party when they were nineteen and when Rosalie told him she was pregnant they got married but there was never any love between them. After a couple of years they split and so Katy goes between them but most of the time she is at her Dad's. Katy is without doubt a Daddy's girl. I loved the relationship and bond between them.
“Can I dye my hair?” Katy asked as I pulled away from the curb. “No.” Hard no. “You’re twelve.” “Then when can I dye it?” “When you’re thirty. The same time you can date.” “Dad.” She gave me a flat look. My baby girl, the light of my life, was growing up too fast.
When Katy has a new teacher , Della (Miss Adler) , and Jeff cross paths. The chemistry is there from the very start and I was there for every page.
Great , well written characters, passion, heat, fun and a little heartstring tugging at times.
If you haven't read the other books in the Maysen Jar series it won't matter at all. This book is a strong standalone.
HEA? Yes! A delicious glimpse into the future. Cheating? No. ...more
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